Low and Medium Voltage Test Facilities

in Varennes' Scientific Park

Workshop: DER Laboratories of Excellence, Testing, and Standards

Napa, December 4th 2006

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Outline

• Presentation of the Low Voltage Test Facility• Characteristics• Topology• Uses• Planned activities

• Presentation of the Medium Voltage Test Facility• Characteristics• Topology• Uses• Planned activities

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LV Test Facility Display

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LV Test Facility Description

• Belongs to the CANMET Energy Technology Centre - Varennes Facility

• 120 kVA network with the following characteristics• 3 phases individually controllable in voltage, waveform and phase angle• Any voltage between 0 and 137 V• Frequency between 45 and 70 Hz• R, L and C loads of 120 kVA each, individually controllable on each phases• Islanding switch programmable between 0-360° phase angle

• Multiple measurement points with precision power analysers.

• Convenient test facility designed with easy re-configuration in mind.

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LV Test Facility Topology

Measurement Points:-V, I, P, PF-Wave shape, THD-Others...

M =

3-wire

CRL

AC SOURCE120kW @ 0-140V / 45-70Hz

DC

AC

DC

AC

DC

AC

DC

AC

M M M M

M

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LV Test Facility Uses

• Characterise single and multiple inverters in terms of:• Power quality• Transient behaviour• Anti-islanding performance• Performance

• Validate standard test methods (e.g. IEC62116) and design new approach for less than ideal condition e.g. noisy grid situations

• Help model development by providing real-life behaviour of physical units

• Develop advanced control methods to support the grid in high penetration scenarios.

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LV Test Facility Planned Activities

• Validation of power quality inverter models

• Validation of anti-islanding models developed by University of Alberta

• Investigation of inverter behaviour in noisy grid situations (validate product standards in such conditions)

• Investigation of control strategies allowing inverters to perform active compensation of power quality issues

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MV Test Facility Display

All material provided by Yves Brissette at IREQ

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LV Test Facility Description

• Belongs to Hydro-Québec's Research Institute in Varennes

• Independent 25 kV line with:• Its own transformer and circuit breaker• 24 poles over 282 m• Various circuit breakers and remote controlled switches with their control

cabinets and protective relays• 25 kV measuring equipment

• Variable industrial loads at 600 V up to 400 A:• 125 HP asynchronous motor with or without electronic drive coupled to a DC

generation connected to a resistive load• Fully passive resistors and reactors electronically controlled to generate

harmonics and imbalance

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MV Test Facility Topology

From substation transformer

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MV Test Facility Topology for DG

PCC

MV substation (for the test line)

SGINV

Local network

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MV Test Facility Uses

• Verification of network automation systems

• Equipment Installation methods for lineman

• Standardization of equipment for the network

• Experimental research on BPL (Broadband Power On Line)

• Data collection using intelligent metering and control cabinets of 25 kV equipment (accuracy and other parameters)

• Network integration of decentralized Energy resources

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MV Test Facility Planned Activities

• Upgrade of the facility for DER tests

• Evaluation of intentional islanding schemes (IEEE 1547.4)

• Evaluation of grid behaviour in accidental islanding

• Synchronization of the active network at PCC

• Validation of soft-starter model for wind-turbine start-up application

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• For the LV Test Facility:

• For the MV Test Facility:

Contacts

Dave TurcottePhotovoltaic and Hybrid Systems GroupCANMET Energy Technology Centre Varennes, Québec dave.turcotte@nrcan.gc.ca

Yves Brissette, Eng.Electrical Equipment Expertise DepartmentInstitute of Research of Hydro-QuébecVarennes, Québec brissette.yves@ireq.ca